Then He adds:This phrase indicates a continuation of a previous statement, suggesting a further elaboration or emphasis. In the context of Hebrews, it refers to God's promise of a new covenant, as previously mentioned in the book. The author of Hebrews often quotes from the Old Testament to show the fulfillment of God's promises through Jesus Christ. This particular addition underscores the completeness and finality of God's declaration.
“Their sins and lawless acts
"Sins" and "lawless acts" refer to the transgressions and violations of God's law by humanity. In the Jewish context, sin was understood as missing the mark of God's holiness, while lawless acts were specific violations of the Mosaic Law. The repetition of these terms emphasizes the totality of human disobedience. Theologically, this highlights the need for a savior who can address both the inherent sinfulness and the specific acts of disobedience.
I will remember no more.”
This phrase signifies God's promise of complete forgiveness and the removal of sins from His memory. In the ancient Near Eastern context, remembering often implied acting upon or holding something against someone. Therefore, God's choice to "remember no more" indicates a deliberate decision to not hold sins against the believer. This is a fulfillment of the prophecy found inJeremiah 31:34, which speaks of a new covenant where God will forgive iniquity. It also connects to the sacrificial system, where repeated sacrifices were a reminder of sin, contrasting with the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ that truly removes sin.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
GodThe speaker in this verse, emphasizing His role as the one who forgives and forgets sins.
2.
The New CovenantThe context of this promise, highlighting the new relationship between God and humanity through Jesus Christ.
3.
The IsraelitesThe original recipients of the Old Covenant, which is being contrasted with the New Covenant in this passage.
4.
Jesus ChristThe mediator of the New Covenant, whose sacrifice makes the forgiveness of sins possible.
5.
The Author of HebrewsTraditionally believed to be Paul or another early Christian leader, writing to Jewish Christians to encourage them in their faith.
Teaching Points
The Assurance of ForgivenessBelievers can have confidence that their sins are forgiven and forgotten by God, providing peace and freedom from guilt.
The Power of the New CovenantUnderstanding the superiority of the New Covenant through Christ's sacrifice encourages believers to live in the fullness of God's grace.
God's FaithfulnessTrust in God's promise to remember sins no more is a testament to His unchanging nature and faithfulness.
Living in FreedomKnowing that God does not hold past sins against us should inspire believers to live righteously and pursue holiness.
Encouragement in FaithThis promise serves as a source of encouragement for believers to remain steadfast in their faith, even amidst trials and temptations.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Hebrews 10:17?
2.How does Hebrews 10:17 assure us of God's forgiveness and forgetfulness of sins?
3.What does "remember their sins no more" reveal about God's character and grace?
4.How does Hebrews 10:17 connect with Psalm 103:12 regarding sin removal?
5.How can we apply God's forgiveness in Hebrews 10:17 to our daily lives?
6.How should Hebrews 10:17 influence our attitude towards forgiving others?
7.How does Hebrews 10:17 assure believers of God's forgiveness and forgetfulness of sins?
8.What historical context influenced the message of Hebrews 10:17?
9.How does Hebrews 10:17 relate to the concept of the New Covenant?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Hebrews 10?
11.Can God forget our sins?
12.How do temptation and sin differ?
13.What does 'Blot Out Our Transgressions' mean?
14.What does "Blot Out Our Transgressions" mean?What Does Hebrews 10:17 Mean
Then He adds– The writer of Hebrews points back to the Holy Spirit’s own testimony, already cited fromJeremiah 31:33-34. “This is the covenant I will make with them after those days, says the Lord… For I will forgive their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more”.
– By saying “Then He adds,” God seals the promise with one final word. There is nothing left to negotiate or supplement.Hebrews 10:15-16 stresses that the Spirit Himself is bearing witness, echoingHebrews 8:12.
– The flow of thought: once the perfect sacrifice of Christ is presented (Hebrews 10:10), God “adds” this covenant assurance as the capstone.
Their sins– Plural, personal, comprehensive.Romans 3:23 reminds us “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”.
–Isaiah 1:18: “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” Every individual stain—hidden or public—is in view here.
–1 John 1:9 confirms the same heart: God “is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
and lawless acts– “Lawless” underscores deliberate rebellion, not mere mistakes.1 John 3:4 states, “Everyone who practices sin practices lawlessness; indeed, sin is lawlessness.”
– Christ’s work answers even presumptuous defiance.Titus 2:14: He “gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people who are His very own.”
– Hebrews pairs “sins” and “lawless acts” so no form of wrongdoing is left uncovered.
I will remember– God’s “forgetting” is not memory lapse but covenant choice: He no longer brings the charges to mind.Isaiah 43:25: “I, yes I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake and remembers your sins no more.”
–Micah 7:19 pictures the same: “You will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.”
–Psalm 103:12 adds vivid distance: “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”
no more– Two words that announce finality.Hebrews 10:14: “For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.”
–Hebrews 9:26 affirms the once-for-all nature: Christ “has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself.”
– The cross concluded the matter: “It is finished” (John 19:30). No future remembrance means no future sacrifices are necessary, no lingering guilt is required.
summaryHebrews 10:17 unveils the heart of the new covenant. God Himself, on the basis of Christ’s single perfect offering, voluntarily chooses never again to bring up our sins or rebellious deeds. Every variety of wrongdoing is covered, and the pardon is irrevocable. The verse is God’s own exclamation point: through Jesus, our record is cleared forever.
(17) Every reader must feel that as these verses stand in the Authorised version the sense is imperfect. The words "after He hath said before" (
Hebrews 10:15) imply "then He saith," or similar words, at some point in the verses which follow. Our translators did not attempt to complete the sense; for the marginal note ("some copies have,
Then he saith, And their") found in ordinary editions was added at a later date.
[12] By many commentators it is believed that the words "saith the Lord" (
Hebrews 10:16) are intended as the completion of the sentence, so that no supplement is needed. This is, we think, very improbable. As it is the last part of the quotation that is taken up here, it is at the beginning of this verse that the explanatory words must come in: "
Then He saith,And their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more." This we have seen to be the crowning promise of the new covenant of which Jesus is the Mediator. When these words were first quoted (
Hebrews 8:12), some important points in the argument were still untouched. Now the firm basis of the promise has been shown, for the covenant has been ratified by the death of Christ, and the blessings He has won for men are eternal (
Hebrews 9:15;
Hebrews 9:12).
[12] From Dr. Scrivener's "Cambridge Paragraph Bible" (p. xxxii.) we learn that the note was added by Dr. Paris in the Cambridge Bible of 1762. Dr. Scrivener adds: "probably from the Philoxenian Syriac version, then just becoming know." . . .
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
[Then He adds]:
Καὶ(Kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.
“Their
αὐτῶν(autōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.
sins
ἁμαρτιῶν(hamartiōn)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Plural
Strong's 266:From hamartano; a sin.
and
καὶ(kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.
lawless acts
ἀνομιῶν(anomiōn)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Plural
Strong's 458:Lawlessness, iniquity, disobedience, sin. From anomos; illegality, i.e. Violation of law or wickedness.
I will remember
μνησθήσομαι(mnēsthēsomai)
Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 3403:To remember, call to mind, recall, mention. A prolonged form of mnaomai; to remind, i.e. to recall to mind.
no
οὐ(ou)
Adverb
Strong's 3756:No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.
more.”
ἔτι(eti)
Adverb
Strong's 2089:(a) of time: still, yet, even now, (b) of degree: even, further, more, in addition. Perhaps akin to etos; 'yet, ' still.
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NT Letters: Hebrews 10:17 I will remember their sins and their (Heb. He. Hb)
